Tesla Cybertruck Motor Upgrades and New Vehicle Spy Photos Revealed

Tesla Cybertruck Motor Study Raises Questions

Tesla has recently reached out to select early Cybertruck owners, including Kyle Connor from Out of Spec Reviews, requesting their participation in a study of early Cybertruck drive units. The company aims to replace one of the existing drive motors with what they term the "latest production pedigree," purportedly to improve efficiency and reliability.

Tesla assures owners that this is not a cause for concern, emphasizing that nothing is wrong with the existing motor. However, this unusual request has sparked speculation within the Tesla community about potential issues with the Cybertruck's drive system.

Understanding Cybertruck's Motor Configuration

The Cybertruck utilizes two types of electric motors:

1. Permanent magnet motors
2. AC induction motors

In the tri-motor setup, the configuration includes:

• Two induction motors in the rear
• One permanent magnet motor in the front

The permanent magnet motor serves as the primary drive unit, operating continuously, while the induction motor(s) engage when additional acceleration is required.

Potential Issues with Permanent Magnet Motors

Based on discussions among Cybertruck owners on social media platforms, there appears to be a pattern of issues related to noise and vibration from the front drive motor, particularly during regenerative braking at medium speeds (around 40 mph).

This anecdotal evidence suggests that Tesla may be addressing a potential problem with the Cybertruck's permanent magnet motor. If components are already exhibiting noise and vibration in new vehicles, it could indicate a risk of future mechanical failures.

Two Perspectives on Tesla's Motor Study

1. Voluntary Recall Theory: Some speculate that Tesla has devised a creative and subtle method to conduct a voluntary recall on a component that, while not necessarily faulty, may not meet ideal performance standards.

2. Proactive Upgrade Theory: Others suggest that Tesla may have coincidentally developed an improved motor for the Cybertruck after the start of production and is offering this upgrade to early adopters at no cost.

Context of Early Adopter Challenges

It's worth noting that early Cybertruck owners have already experienced several minor issues and recalls, including:

• A potential sticky accelerator pedal
• An occasionally faulty giant windshield wiper
• Improperly secured plastic trim

Additionally, many early adopters paid significant premiums for features and accessories that have yet to be delivered. In this context, a complimentary motor upgrade could be seen as a gesture of goodwill from Tesla.

Implications for Future Cybertruck Owners

For potential future Cybertruck owners, this situation may actually be viewed positively. Tesla's proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential issues before widespread production ramp-up could result in a more refined and reliable vehicle for later buyers.

Tesla Model Y "Juniper" Refresh Spotted

Exciting news has emerged for Tesla enthusiasts as spy photos of the refreshed Model Y, codenamed "Juniper," have been captured for the first time in real-world testing. This development offers insights into Tesla's plans for updating its bestselling vehicle.

Key Observations from Spy Photos

• The test vehicle was spotted with camouflage covering both the front and rear sections.
• The interior was also concealed, suggesting significant updates to the cabin.
• This camouflage approach mirrors Tesla's strategy used before the launch of the refreshed Model 3 last year.

Potential Launch Timeline

Based on previous refresh cycles, particularly the Model 3, we can make some educated guesses about the Model Y Juniper's release:

• Spy photos of the refreshed Model 3 appeared approximately 6 months before its official launch.
• Following a similar timeline, an early 2025 launch for the refreshed Model Y seems plausible.

Elon Musk's Statements on Model Y Updates

Despite rumors circulating on social media about a potential 2024 release for the refreshed Model Y, Elon Musk has explicitly stated:

"No Model Y refresh is coming out this year."

Musk further clarified:

"Tesla continuously improves its cars, so even a car that is 6 months newer will be a little better."

This statement suggests that while incremental improvements are ongoing, a major refresh is not imminent in 2024.

Implications for Potential Buyers

For those considering a Model Y purchase:

1. Current model remains competitive: The existing Model Y continues to receive minor updates and improvements.
2. Patience may be rewarded: Those able to wait until early 2025 may benefit from more substantial updates in the refreshed model.
3. Resale value considerations: The announcement of a refresh could impact the resale value of current Model Y vehicles.

Other Tesla Prototypes and Test Vehicles Spotted

In addition to the Model Y Juniper, several other intriguing Tesla test vehicles have been observed in the wild, offering glimpses into the company's future plans and technologies.

Engineering Vehicle with New Camera Setup

A Tesla engineering vehicle was spotted driving in the Bay Area with some notable modifications:

• Absence of side mirrors
• Test cameras attached to the rear of the vehicle

These modifications align with previous sightings of Tesla vehicles featuring new camera mountings on rear windows. This configuration strongly suggests that these are test mules for robotaxi applications.

Robotaxi Development Progress

With Tesla's robotaxi reveal event less than a month away, these sightings provide tangible evidence of the company's ongoing development in this area. The use of additional cameras and the removal of traditional mirrors indicate a focus on enhancing the vehicle's autonomous capabilities and streamlining its design for robotaxi operations.

Tesla Semi with Lidar Equipment

Another interesting sighting involves a Tesla Semi truck fitted with what appears to be a lidar suite. This observation is particularly noteworthy because Tesla has consistently avoided using lidar technology for its self-driving systems, preferring to rely on camera-based vision and neural networks.

Potential Uses for Lidar on Tesla Vehicles

While Tesla maintains its stance against using lidar for autonomous driving, the technology serves valuable purposes in the development and validation process:

1. Measurement Accuracy: Lidar provides highly accurate measurements of the real-world environment, which can be used to validate the performance of Tesla's camera-based systems.

2. Fleet Validation: Tesla uses lidar-equipped vehicles to validate the information gathered by their standard camera vision systems across their fleet.

3. Data Comparison: By comparing lidar data with camera data, Tesla can refine and improve the accuracy of their neural networks and computer vision algorithms.

4. Regulatory Compliance: In some jurisdictions, lidar data may be required for testing and validation of autonomous systems.

This approach of using lidar for validation while relying on cameras for production vehicles allows Tesla to benefit from lidar's precision without incorporating it into their mass-produced vehicles, maintaining their cost and design advantages.

New Parental Controls in Tesla Software Update

Tesla's latest software update (2024.2.6) introduces a robust set of parental controls, significantly enhancing the ability of vehicle owners to manage and monitor usage, especially when lending their cars to younger drivers or rental customers.

Key Features of the New Parental Controls

1. Speed Limiting: Ability to set maximum speed limits for the vehicle.
2. Drive Mode Restrictions: Option to lock the vehicle in "Chill" mode, limiting acceleration.
3. PIN Protection: Settings can be protected with a PIN code, preventing unauthorized changes.
4. Safety Feature Enforcement: Ability to ensure safety features remain active, including:
   • Automatic Emergency Braking
   • Forward Collision Warning
   • Speed Limit Warning
5. Curfew Notifications: Owners receive alerts if the vehicle is used beyond set time limits.

Practical Applications

These new controls offer peace of mind in various scenarios:

• Parents lending vehicles to teenage drivers
• Owners renting their Teslas through services like Turo
• Businesses managing fleet vehicles

Additional Updates in 2024.2.6

Beyond parental controls, the update brings several other enhancements:

1. Music Integration:

   • YouTube Music support
   • Amazon Music integration

2. Navigation Improvements:

   • Direct navigation to sub-destinations (e.g., specific airport terminals)

3. Air Quality Monitoring:

   • Display of local Air Quality Index (AQI) values
   • Integration with Tesla's HEPA filter and Bioweapon Defense Mode

4. Intelligent Comfort Features:

   • Automatic lowering of AC fan speed during phone calls (when AC is set to auto)

Implications of Tesla's Continuous Software Updates

Tesla's approach to frequent, substantial software updates sets it apart in the automotive industry. This strategy offers several advantages:

1. Continuous Improvement: Vehicles gain new features and refinements over time, increasing value post-purchase.

2. Rapid Response to User Feedback: Tesla can quickly address user concerns or requests through software updates.

3. Competitive Edge: The ability to add features via software keeps Tesla vehicles feeling fresh and advanced compared to competitors.

4. Cost-Effective Innovation: Many improvements can be made without physical changes to the vehicle, reducing costs for both Tesla and consumers.

5. Data-Driven Development: Tesla can use real-world data from its fleet to inform and refine new features.

Conclusion

The recent developments in Tesla's ecosystem, from potential Cybertruck motor upgrades to new vehicle prototypes and software enhancements, showcase the company's commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. While some aspects, like the Cybertruck motor study, raise questions about early production issues, they also demonstrate Tesla's proactive approach to refining their products.

The sighting of the refreshed Model Y prototype hints at exciting updates to come for Tesla's bestselling vehicle, even as the company continues to enhance its current lineup through software updates. The introduction of comprehensive parental controls and other quality-of-life improvements in the latest software update further solidifies Tesla's position as a technology leader in the automotive space.

As Tesla moves forward with its robotaxi plans and continues to refine its self-driving capabilities, the company's use of various testing methodologies, including lidar for validation purposes, underscores its multifaceted approach to developing autonomous driving technology.

For consumers and enthusiasts alike, these developments promise a future of increasingly capable, efficient, and feature-rich electric vehicles. As always, Tesla's journey continues to be one of rapid innovation, occasional growing pains, and a relentless push towards the future of transportation.

Article created from: https://youtu.be/5kS9TkQuLgw?feature=shared